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Wooden Cheese Mold DIY Candle: A Unique Wood Candle

Here’s how to make a DIY candle in a wooden cheese mold! These unique candles hand-poured with soy wax and wood wicks have all the charm.

I’ve been making candles for years and years. Container candles were my first DIY candles and continue to be my favorite to make. I’m always on the hunt for new vessels to make candles in and these wooden cheese molds caught my eye!

Originally used to mold cheese, this container has a natural wood grain with a weathered white finish and a large circle, centered in the middle. A perfect space to pour virgin coconut candle wax into! Don’t you think?

I used natural wood candle wicks to complete the cheese mold. The finished candle has an earthy, bohemian, appeal that fits perfectly on the shelves in our living room next to a whitewashed terracotta pot and white wooden beads. 

I’m not the only one who sees the appeal of cheese molds for DIY candles – I’ve seen wooden cheese mold candles everywhere lately. Yet, I’m completely surprised I haven’t seen one tutorial on how to make a cheese mold candle! 

If you have been wanting to make these unique candles, you’re in luck! I’ve included where to find wooden cheese molds, how to prepare them for candle making (don’t skip this step), and easy-to-follow steps to make a cheese mold DIY candle. 

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What is a cheese mold?

The art of cheese making requires time and tools. Cheese molds made from wood were one of the early tools for cheese making used throughout Europe dating back to the Bronze Age.

The molds were cut into fairly thick wooden blocks of pecan or oak with natural knots and grain. Their use caused them to acquire knife marks, small holes, or cracks. This varying character is what many love most. Cheese molds have become a popular decoration over the last few years and I love that we are repurposing them! 

I found each cheese mold I have at local vintage markets and boutiques, but if you don’t have any luck near you, these are beautiful choices from Etsy. 

One Hole Cheese Mold

This candle supply shop on Etsy hand carves cheese molds specifically for candles. Each one-hole cheese mold is made with a flat surface, so you do not need to worry about it leaning or wobbling. And they’ve gone the extra mile to apply a 100% all-natural fire retardant to safety. (Don’t worry, I’ll show you how to safely seal yours if it isn’t.) Find a white-washed cheese mold here. 

Two Holes Cheese Mold

If you love the look of a cheese mold with two holes, believe it or not, Lowes carries them, handcrafted from pecan and distressed. They look great as centerpieces with candles in them. 

Three Holes Cheese Mold

And three is a charm with these wooden cheese molds featuring three holes! Each is made to last – sanded, stained, and sealed. 

Is it safe to make a candle in wood?

Whether you want to make a candle in a wood cheese mold, dough bowl, or any other wood container – you’ve got to consider safety first! Because a wood container that is not properly sealed could soak up candle wax and become a giant wick, YIKES! 

The good news is, it only doesn’t take much to make a wood container safe for candle making.

Related To: How to Make a Candle in Terracotta 

How To Make a Wooden Cheese Mold Candle Safe: 

1. First, wipe dust away with a damp cloth from the cheese mold.
2. Next, check for visible cracks in the wood. Avoid using a cheese mold with cracks or large holes.
3. To make a cheese mold safe apply two heavy coats of 100% waterproof sealant with 30 minutes of drying time between each coating. 

Once the cheese mold is dry, it’s candle safe and ready to be repurposed! In fact, after sealing it can be used for a lot of things, not just a candle. 

If you’re a candle addict like me, it’s likely you have a sprawling collection of used candle containers too. Well, I found fifty ways to reuse candle jars in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, office, and more. 

Related To: Candle Containers to Avoid

How Do You Make a Cheese Mold DIY Candle?

Here’s how to make a DIY candle in a wooden cheese mold, hand-poured pure soy wax for a clean burn that lasts long. And I know you’ll appreciate the crackling sound from the wood wicks that add to its all-natural, timeless charm that will light up any space! 

Candle Supplies:

1/4 ounce fragrance oil

.20 lbs pure soy wax

2 wood wicks

1 whitewashed one hole cheese mold

2 wood wick clips

2 wick tabs

Instructions to Make a Candle in a Cheese Mold:

Step 1: 

Before you begin, make sure you’ve followed the steps above to make your wooden cheese mold candle safe. Then cover your area with parchment or wax paper and place your cheese mold on top of it.  

Step 2:

Cut each wood wick in half at an angle creating 4 wood wicks. Layer two wicks together and slip them into a wood wick clip. 

Then stick a wick tab on the bottom of the clip, repeat for the 2nd wick. Then evenly spaced both wicks from each other and the perimeter of the mold.  

Step 3:

Next, measure .20 pounds of pure soy wax on a kitchen scale. Pour it into a  candle making pitcher and place it inside a saucepan filled with approximately 2 inches of water. 

Use the double boiler method to heat the wax on low up to 140°F. (I use a no-touch infrared thermometer to keep an eye on the heat of the wax.) Stir slowly, yet often with a heat-resistant silicone spatula. 

Step 4: 

After the soy wax is completely melted, turn off the heat source and, if needed, allow the wax to cool before adding 1/4 ounce of fragrance oil. Check out my guide on how to scent candles for ideas. 

After adding your fragrance slowly, stir it into the wax constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to thoroughly incorporate the scent.  

Step 5: 

Then use the spout of your candle melting pitcher to pour the scented wax into the cheese mold (make sure to avoid the wicks). Allow the candle to cure for a good three days before lighting for a stronger scent. Don’t forget to trim the wicks to a 1/4 inch!

A DIY candle in a cheese mold makes the perfect gift with its timeless appeal. I have certainly gifted a few and everyone has loved them! 

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